RE-RELEASE: Kaley Cuoco | SmartLess

A Near-Fatal Horse Accident [02:01]

• Cuoco recounts a severe horse riding accident where the horse fell on her and stepped on her leg.
• She sustained a compound fracture, with her tibia and fibula breaking and protruding.
• The initial fall didn't hurt her, but the horse stepping on her caused the severe injury.

  "I heard all the cracking oh yeah so I was like are there leaves and it took me like five or ten seconds to actually realize it wasn't just 400 leaves it was my bones"

Surgery and Recovery [02:47]

• Cuoco had to sign consent forms acknowledging the risk of losing her leg during surgery.
• Despite the severity, she was walking within a week and back to work on "The Big Bang Theory" within two weeks.
• She still has pins and rods in her leg, as the surgery to remove them was deemed more painful than leaving them in.

  "They said honestly the surgery would be such a pain for you like if they're not bothering you leave it"

Early Life and Tennis [04:30]

• Cuoco was a competitive junior tennis player and traveled nationally.
• She considered a professional tennis career but chose acting at age 16.
• Her parents supported her decision to focus on acting, allowing her to get her GED instead of finishing high school.

  "I was like this is what I want to do tennis like are you sure yeah no sorry I wanted to be an actor"

Commercial Work and Early Acting [05:15]

• She appeared in numerous commercials as a child, including Barbie commercials and singing the Oscar Mayer song.
• Her parents were supportive, with her mother driving her to auditions and various activities.
• Her father was a paramedic and firefighter before going into real estate.

  "I was the barbie girl for like two years I did like a handful of barbie commercials I was in every single one"

The Big Bang Theory's Genesis [06:30]

• Cuoco was the third actress cast in "The Big Bang Theory" after two previous pilots were scrapped.
• The show underwent significant rewrites and revamps before its eventual success.
• Showrunner Chuck Lorre's belief in the concept and the actors kept the show alive through multiple iterations.

  "He kept saying I'm going to get this right I'm going to get this right and you know and so what about what about all the fame and and the money"

Unexpected Success and Fame [07:30]

• Cuoco describes her rise to fame as a slow, uphill climb rather than an overnight sensation.
• She had been in the business since age five, doing various projects.
• "The Big Bang Theory" garnered around 30 million viewers weekly, making it a massive phenomenon.

  "I feel like there are actors who gets like maybe they do i don't know they do some huge film or something then all of a sudden right it's overnight fame and they're like oh my god"

The End of The Big Bang Theory [08:45]

• The cast initially believed they would film a 13th season.
• Jim Parsons' decision to leave was the catalyst for the show's conclusion.
• The news came at the beginning of season 12, giving them a full season to process and enjoy the remaining episodes.

  "Jim really did Jim parsons really wanted to be done and he was kind of the first person to call it okay"

Fond Memories of Live Audiences [09:30]

• Cuoco loved performing in front of a live audience and the energy it brought.
• Her father attended every single taping for 12 years, having his own chair in the audience.
• The crew and cast adopted a "thumbs up" gesture in honor of her father.

  "My dad never missed a tape he was in the audience every week every single he had his own chair at the back of the audience"

"Based on a True Story" Premise [10:30]

• Cuoco plays a realtor obsessed with true crime podcasts.
• She and her husband, played by Chris Messina, decide to create a podcast about a plumber who might be a serial killer.
• The show is described as a quirky, insane, and brilliant story.

  "The general concept is that you and christmasina are married the great the great christmasina the best we'll hold for applause there the best"

Incorporating Pregnancy into the Show [11:45]

• Cuoco suggested writing her pregnancy into the show, even though it was nearly complete.
• She was five months pregnant when filming began and wrapped just three weeks before giving birth.
• The pregnancy was seamlessly integrated, and she felt empowered and comfortable on set.

  "Guys what if this character was pregnant just spitballing I'm like now think think about your answer first"

Working with Chris Messina [12:45]

• Cuoco praises her co-star Chris Messina, describing him as a joy to work with.
• Their chemistry is attributed to them being genuinely nice people.
• She found their dynamic, with Messina being more prepared and rehearsed, to be a good balance.

  "The chemistry between you two guys um I don't know it's just I do stuff sometimes and people say hey boy how did you guys get such great great chemistry well it's when you have two really nice people"

Directing Aspirations [14:00]

• Cuoco believes she would be a good director due to her efficient approach.
• She prefers to "get in and get out" and doesn't enjoy extensive rehearsal or watching playback.
• She contrasts her style with Messina's more meticulous preparation.

  "I think I could direct I think I would be a good director because I like to get in and get out like I don't waste a lot of time"

The Power of Playback [14:45]

• Cuoco admits she doesn't like watching playback of her scenes, preferring to move on to the next job.
• She acknowledges that watching playback can be educational for actors and directors.
• Jerry Lewis is credited with inventing or creating the playback system.

  "I'm not a playback watcher as an actor I can't watch playback"

Golf and Jason's Moods [15:30]

• The hosts discuss Jason's crankiness, attributing it partly to low blood sugar and his slow pace of play.
• Cuoco, as a former competitive athlete, suggests letting instincts take over rather than overthinking.
• She jokes that golf would make her insane, but she could potentially act as a "sports psychologist" for Jason.

  "Maybe maybe kaylee needs to be the person to come play with you and walk with you and be your kind of sports psychologist"

New Baby and Motherhood [03:15]

• Cuoco recently had a baby, Matilda, who is five weeks old.
• She acknowledges the help of family and hired help in managing motherhood.
• Both her mother and her partner Tom Pelphrey's mother are supportive and get along well.

  "She's pretty awesome look I'm not gonna lie I I we have some very nice help"

The "Cock" Streaming Joke [15:00]

• The hosts repeatedly joke about the show "Based on a True Story" streaming on "the cock" (Peacock).
• Cuoco plays along with the joke, finding it humorous.

  "Based on a true based on a true story june 8th streaming on the cock just so we can say it"

Personal Style and Energy [16:00]

• Cuoco is noted for her positive energy, described as "sunshine wrapped in skin" and having a "great vibe."
• She wears scrunchies as a nod to an "old school" 80s style.
• Her bubbly personality is seen as genuine and not just a character she plays.

  "She's got great vibe I said sunshine wrapped in skin but maybe it's spirit wrapped in skin huh handsome sunshine"

Big Bang Theory's Impact [08:00]

• Cuoco reflects on the show's massive viewership and its impact on her career.
• She notes that "The Big Bang Theory" helped keep other shows, like "The Millers," on the air due to its strong lead-in viewership.
• She expresses admiration for co-star Johnny Galecki, calling him a "nice guy" and a "sweet soul."

  "It was a little phenomenon man I don't know like it was just massive"